Columbia Falls harriers had a solid meet and the Mountain West Classic in Missoula last Saturday, with the boys being the top class A school at the meet.

The Cats were led by Patric Jessat who placed 40th overall with a time of 16:31. Shawn Whitman worked his way up through the pack in the last half mile of the race to take 43rd with a time of 16:34. Also placing for the Cats were (time/place) 71, Justin Whitman, 16:49; 146, Pascal Jessat, 17:35; 206, Joe Gross, 18:09.

Coach Richard Menicke was pleased with the race, but said there's plenty of work to do. Looking at the times, he noted that Browning is running a big pack of runners between our third and fourth placers. If they fill the same gap at state competition, it would mean trouble for the Cats.

"Browning will be a strong team to contend with," he said.

Still, the boys are posting good times.

"Shawn and Patric are running great," he said.

Coming back this week at Thompson Falls is Derrick Williams, who was out a couple of weeks with a hamstring strain he injured in gym class.

"We need Derrick back and healthy," Menicke said. Williams was running with the top of the pack before the injury.

On the girls side, Nicki Moser led the way with a time of 20:54, good for 98th place, followed by Jinise Osborne at 21:09, good for 149th.

The Kats were the second fastest 'A' school at the meet — outpaced by Whitefish, which has a very strong girls team this season.

Also placing were (time/place) 149, Leesa Benner, 21:32; 164, Madison Stolte, 21:48; 185, Tessa Cowan, 22:01.

"Fantastic races for Moser and Osborne. The rest had solid races as well. That was our fastest race of the season," Menicke noted.

The team travels to Thompson Falls today (Thursday) and then is at Whitefish Oct. 10.